Adoption 101: The Legal Fundamentals

Do You Have A Valid Slip And Fall Case?

12 April 2022

Brayden Miles

If you recently slipped and fell on someone else's property, you may have ended up with major injuries that resulted in a trip to the hospital. However, a question you'll want to ask yourself is if you have a valid slip and fall accident case. Here is what you should know about this legal situation surrounding your slip and fall accident.

What General Things Should You Look For?

One of the key parts that makes a slip and fall case valid is when there is negligence on part of the property owner. They are responsible for maintaining their property in a way that will prevent people from getting hurt and must respond in a reasonable manner. For example, a business owner is responsible for making sure that their sidewalks are not icy in the winter, and that there is no water on the floor that a customer could slip on. 

Does The Time Frame Matter For The Slip And Fall Accident? 

A property owner is not expected to respond instantly to all situations that can cause a slip and fall. Some leeway is given to situations that are completely out of their control. In the instance with an icy sidewalk, a property owner cannot respond to slippery conditions immediately as the snow is coming down. A business owner can also not respond immediately to someone spilling water on the floor. They do need to be given a reasonable amount of time to fix the poor conditions that would result in an injury. 

Does It Matter Who Owns The Property?

Slip and fall accidents that happen at residences or businesses are easy to file an injury lawsuit against, because if you have a specific person or entity that is responsible for the negligence. However, public sidewalks and roads can be a bit trickier. Different municipalities have their own laws regarding how these accidents are handled. The hardest part will be proving that the municipality knew about the problem and neglected it.

How Do You Best Prove That The Injury Happened Due To The Slip And Fall?

If you are the victim of a slip and fall, you will need to prove that the injury you have is related to the accident. It's a good idea to take photos of the scene of the accident, report the accident to the property owner, and visit a doctor immediately to have your injury documented. One common defense of slip and fall injuries is that it didn't happen as the victim described, and they lack the evidence needed to prove their case. 

To learn more, contact a company such as Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law.

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